Merchandise-displaying device



April 30, 1929 L.. M. sAwlN 1,711,286

MERCHANDI SE DI SPLAYING DEVI CE Filed Sept. 21, 1927 i Ik 11F Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

LESTER M. SAWIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PATENTl OFFICE.

MERCHAN DISE-DISPLAYIN G DEVICE.

Application filed September 21, 1927. Serial No. 220,940.

This invention relates to dispensing and display containers of the general type disclosed in my Patent No. 1,451,055, dated April 1923. The patent referred to shows a'glass jar or case for holding salted nuts, confectionary or the like. Within the case is an inclined partition for the purpose of keeping the bulk of the contents of the ease at the forward side thereof. In the lower portion of the partition is an opening to allow the contents to flow into the space below and rearwardly of the partition. An opening in the rear side of the case below the partition gives the salesperson access to the nuts or other goods which reach said space through the opening in the partition.

The goods are introduced into the case through the upper end thereof, the mouth of the case being normally closed by means of a depressed cover which also serves as a tray to hold small bags or other filled containers.

In practice the cases are set upon a show case or counter. The merchant usually has a number of such display cases, and some attention is required from time to time to keep the cases arranged in an orderly fashion.

One of the objects of the present invention is' to provide a tray for displaying filled bags or other containers, which will also serve to hold a number of display cases'in orderly arrangement side by side on a show case or other support.

A further object is to provide such a tray which will also serve as a closure for the display cases.

When the upper ends of the display cases are of approximately the same over-all dimensions as the lower ends thereof, it is practicable to use a tray embodying the present invention as a seat for a plurality of display cases, and the invention contemplates such employment of the tray at the option of the user.

The invention further contemplates the use of the tray in holding in position display cases stacked one upon another.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevation showing two display cases standing upon a tray embodying the features of my invention, a similar tray being positioned upon the upper end of said display cases.

Fig. 2 is a view on a smaller scale showing a tier of display cases, the individual cases being held in position by means of trays embodying the invention.

.Fig 3 is a fragmental vertical sectional view7 taken in the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

F 1g. 4 is a vertical sectional view in the plane of line 4 of Fig. 3. l f

In the drawings, 1 denotes a glass display case, the body of which is approximately square in horizontal cross-section. The case has a circular mouth 2. Within the case is a partition 3 which may be of sheet metal or other suitable material, said partition extending from a point on the rear wall of the case downwardly and forwardly to the bottom of the case. In the lower portion of the partition 3 is an opening 4 through which the nuts or other merchandise may flow until the angle of repose is reached. In order that the interior of the display case may be conveniently cleaned, the partition 3 is made removable, being simply set in place within the case. The mouth 2 of the case is-made large enough to permit the introduction and withdrawal of the partition.

In the rear wall of the case 1 is an opening 5 which is normally closed by means of a hinged door 6. When the door 6 is opened the contents of the' space below the partition 3 may be scooped out.

A tray embodying the present invention may be made of suflicient length for use with two or more display cases. As herein shown,

the display cases and thus prevents horizontal displacement of the tray in any direction. To prevent vertical displacement of the tray, there is provided upon a portion of the flange, say, the forward portion thereof, a horizontal vlocking flange E extending inwardly into position to underlie a circular overhanging external shoulder 7 encircling the upper end or mouth of each case. It will be seen that by tilting the rear portion of the tray A upwardly until the iear portion of the flange D is above the horizontal plane of the display case, the tray may be pushed forwardly until the flange E is out from under the overhanging shoulder 7, whereupon the tray may be lifted off the display cases; but a person attempting to remove the rality oit display cases, the width and length of the space bounded b the rim C being approximately a multip e of the dimensions of the lower end of a display case l, so as to xreceive a plurality of display cases and hold them in orderly position side by side.

As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of trays A maybe used in holding in. position a plurality of display cases stacked upon one anothen lt will be evident that the tray herein shown serves to keep a plurality ot display cases neatly lined up on" a show case or counter with the delivery openings 5 properly positioned toward the rear of the counter. The tray A is of inexpensive construction and takes the place of a plurality of yseparate trays or closures, thus effecting a saving in manufacture.

While l have shown the ange D as extending continuously around the tray, it will be understood that it need not be continuous or uninterrupted so long as it comprises portions lying at all tour sides of the series of display'cases.

I claim as my invention:

l. A set of display cases comprising a plurality of display cases placed side by side, a tray set u on the upper ends of said display cases, sai tray comprising a portion extending downwardly about the upper ends of the display cases to hold the latter against horizontal displacement, said tray further comprising an upwardly extending rim, a like number of similar display cases set upon said tray, said rim serving to hold the lower portions of the last mentioned display cases against horizontal displacement, and a similar tray set upon the upper ends of the last mentioned display cases, the last mentioned tray serving to hold the upper ends of the last mentioned display cases against horizontal displacement and also serving as a tray for merchandise.

2. A set of display cases comprising a plurality of display cases located side by side, each case-having a delivery opening in its rear wall, a tray located upon the upper ends ot said display cases, said tray comprising a iiange extending downwardly about the upper ends of the display cases to hold the latter against horizontal displacement, said tray further comprising an upwardly extending rim, an inwardly extending locking part on the forward longitudinal portion of said ange, and an overhanging shoulder on the forward upper portion of the cases be .neath which said locking part extends.

3. The combination of a plurality of display cases located side by side, each case having a mouth at its upper end, and a comhination tray and closure for said mouths comprising a bottom coveringsaid mouths, an upstanding rim surrounding the bottom, a downwardly extending iange surrounding the mouths of the cases, and a member on a portion of said downwardly extending ange, said member extending inwardly into position to underlie a portion of one of said cases to prevent upward displacement of the side of the tray which has said member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto ailixed my signature.

LESTER y M. SAWIN. 

